Why don’t Eskimos get psoriasis?

Hint: The answer lies in the special Eskimo diet – fish.

When you look at the psoriasis statistics across all nationalities and ethnicities, one group immediately stands out as special: the Eskimos. Compared to most others, they have a remarkably low incidence rate of psoriasis. Only 1% Most Eskimos are affected by this debilitating skin disorder, but why and what can we learn from them and apply to our own psoriasis treatments?

The Greenlandic Eskimos first came to the attention of Danish researchers in the 1970s, when they noticed that these tough indigenous tribes had very few cases of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, including psoriasis! They linked this to the most obvious difference in the daily life of a typical Eskimo. What separated them from their counterparts living in Denmark was their special diet.

Do you remember those cartoons with Eskimos ice fishing, sitting around a small hole with wooden poles in their hands? Well, they are somewhat true.

The normal Eskimo diet consists of a large amount of shellfish, up to a pound per day of whale, seal, and walrus meat (including fat!), and generous servings of salmon, white fish and other fish. The fish is cooked, dried, smoked, or eaten raw.

This diet is special because it is very rich in long-chain omega-3 fats, which are known to be anti-inflammatory. Western diets, by comparison, are severely lacking in fish.

The researchers know this is the key to their resistance to psoriasis, as their research on the Greenland Inuit has been bolstered by similar findings on other tribes, such as the Alaskan Yup’ik and Siberian Inuit.

So why are omega-3 oils, especially those from oily fish, so important for curbing psoriasis?

Here’s a quick breakdown of why. People with psoriasis have been found to have unusually high levels of a fat called arachidonic acid, which is favorably produced from omega-6 acids. This acid is known to cause inflammation and aggravate psoriasis. Guess what has the reverse effect? That’s right, omega-3! By eating so much fish, Eskimos help regulate the overproduction of omega-6s, thus keeping their inflammation in check and warding off skin disorders like psoriasis.

While you can’t just build an igloo or pack your bags, buy a ticket to Alaska or Siberia, and join a tribe, you can always make changes to your diet to incorporate more omega-3-rich foods. The best way to do this is to go to a fishmonger and get oily fish, such as mackerel, herring, trout, and salmon (No, fish sticks don’t count!). Canned tuna is a good alternative, just make sure you get tuna packed in water instead of tuna packed in oil (since they typically use omega-6 vegetable oil).

I have personally noticed that since I eat homemade fish 2-3 times a week, my psoriasis patches are much lighter, softer and less itchy. Also, I love seafood, so I enjoy meals twice as much!

In addition to eating fish, an easy route to take is to supplement with fish oil capsules. Just make sure they are high in EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) as it is most beneficial for psoriasis. The normal recommended dose is 300 to 1,000 milligrams, but sometimes it is necessary to take up to 3,000 milligrams to see a noticeable effect. There are also vegetarian sources of omega-3s, in leafy green vegetables and flaxseed oil. Make sure you give it a few weeks before you decide if it’s helping you or not.

The Eskimos used to eat this traditional diet their entire lives, and it takes time to see the changes that diet can have on psoriasis. The next time you feel hungry, or kish-tu-ah as the western eskimos say, take out the fish and treat your psoriasis for some relief!